A Farewell to Boni

It’s unlike me to remember the exact moment I first meet someone. But I would never forget the first time I saw Boni. It was the first day of third-year high school—June 2009. I was glad to find out that there were only eighteen of us in class. The school decided to take grade cut-offs seriously, and only those who had managed to get high-enough marks made it to the first section. It was easy to remember all my classmates because there were only a few of us. It was easier still to spot the new kid. He was a transferee from a nearby high school—and he was cute. His making it to the first section told me he was smart. Cute and smart. The perfect combination. It was the start of my short-lived crush on Bonifacio.

For days, I’ve been teased by my classmates about him, and it was getting harder and harder to deny the truth. He eventually confessed he had feelings for my best friend, which, I have to admit, hurt a little. I thought it would be really hard to move on, but things got easier when my father told me we were related. Oops! This is why it’s important to attend reunions every once in a while.

Although the crush was gone, I still can’t help but admire my cousin’s kindness towards everyone, especially towards women. I can’t recall a time when he did not volunteer his assistance when a teacher was carrying more than one bag or when it comes to cleaning the room even though it was not his turn to do so.

He made me realize so many things about men. Because of him, I believed there were still good men in the world. His relationship with my best friend ended before we got to fourth year, and I remember clearly that afternoon when he hugged my friend so hard it looked like he was never going to let go. And he was crying. It was the first time I saw a guy cry because of a girl. I thought that only happens in movies. I saw the hurt in his eyes, as well as the desperation to hold on to the thing he loved the most. It made me believe in love again. That experience will stay with me forever.

After graduation, we all went our separate ways. It’s been years since I last saw Boni. The latest information I heard about him is that he had a new girlfriend during college. The next news I received was that of his death. I was told it happened at night. He was riding his motorcycle when he suddenly smashed into a gate. As quickly as that, he was gone.

I know I would never forget him. His old-school name. His chivalry. His vulnerabilities. His kindness. . . Especially his kindness. He was a good person. And that alone is enough.

It’s hard to wrap your head around the idea that the person whom you attended class with and whom you hope to see at your high school’s tenth-year reunion is gone now. It’s a whole different kind of sad when you lose someone your age. It makes you appreciate life more, realizing is brevity.